Left Behind

 

Meanwhile in Germany: Rose Monday carnival parade

 

“Everyone protects the perpetrators” and “Everyone ignores the victims.”

These and previous year's anti-Trump floats are pictured at the HuffPost.

JFC

So it's true, then.

As rumors fly about an affair between Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and adviser Corey Lewandowski, a new report alleges the pair have been traveling together in a luxury jet fitted with a private cabin, ostensibly meant for “high-profile deportations.”

Reports of the pair’s romantic relationship initially took off in the tabloids. Then in a New York magazine exposé published in September, one FEMA official called it the “worst-kept secret in D.C.”

[...]

Noem, 54, and Lewandowski, 52, are both married with children.

The two have denied the rumors, which have hounded them for years.

[...]

Recently, the two have been traveling across the country in a luxury 737 MAX jet, with a private cabin in back, people familiar with the matter told the Journal. Official documents reviewed by the newspaper show that the luxury plane, which staff jokingly call Noem’s “big, beautiful jet,” is earmarked for “high-profile deportations.”

[...]

Noem has had a turbulent history with planes during Trump’s second term.

Last year, she reportedly authorized the purchase of 10 Spirit Airline planes before realizing that the airline didn’t actually own the planes, and they also had no engines. In October, despite the then-ongoing government shutdown, the Trump administration bought two Gulfstream G700 jets for $172 million to be used by Noem and other leaders.

[...]

According to the Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal’s report on what it called “constant chaos” within Noem’s department, President Donald Trump and his top advisers have long been uncomfortable with the pair’s relationship. Although Lewandowski wanted to serve as Noem’s chief of staff, Trump said no because of the affair rumors, according to the Journal. Officials told the newspaper that Trump continues to bring up the alleged affair.

  HuffPo

Maybe now is a good time for him to fire Noem for her handling of DHS.

Definitely time to impeach Noem (and Trump).

 

Epstein files fallout

Europe

Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the U.S. who also resigned from the House of Lords, is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police in London.

[...]

Morgan McSweeney, who said he advised Starmer to appoint Mandelson, resigned as the prime minister's chief of staff this month.

Thorbjørn Jagland, Norway's former prime minister, was charged with aggravated corruption following a police probe into his Epstein ties. He has denied wrongdoing.

[...]

Jack Lang, a French politician and former culture minister, resigned from the Arab World Institute in Paris due to his association with Epstein.

[...]

Middle East

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem in Dubai was replaced as chairman and CEO of logistics company DP World.

"I loved the torture video," Epstein wrote to bin Sulayem in a 2019 email. The recipient's name was previously redacted.

[...]

U.S.

Tom Pritzker announced his retirement as executive chair of Hyatt Hotels on Monday, effective immediately, and expressed regret about his past association with Epstein and convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

[...]

Brad Karp, chairman of top corporate law firm Paul, Weiss for 18 years, resigned after his emails with Epstein were revealed in the files.

[...]

Kathy Ruemmler, top counsel at Goldman Sachs [and former White House counsel to Barack Obama], resigned after her emails with Epstein surfaced, showing their close relationship and her downplaying his sex crimes, per AP.

[...]

Casey Wasserman, a high-profile Hollywood talent agent who chairs the LA28 Olympic committee, said he would sell his agency after his Epstein ties were disclosed.

[...]

Peter Attia, a longevity influencer, stepped down as chief science officer of David Protein and is no longer listed as an adviser at Eight Sleep.

However, CBS News appears to be keeping Attia as a contributor.

[...]

Steve Tisch, chairman and co-owner of the New York Giants, is being investigated by the NFL, commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier this month.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faces bipartisan calls to resign after the Epstein files revealed a closer relationship than previously indicated.

  Axios

There are still scores to go, including much of Trump's administration, and the president himself. Don't hold your breath.

(In case you're wondering, Tom Pritzker is a cousin of JB - both born into the Hyatt wealth.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Hyatt heirs came together to have a little talk with Tom.  And, btw, you might be watching JB in the runup to 2028, so here's an article on him at Mother Jones.)

No justice will be served in MAGAland

 

America, this is your president

 He couldn't care less about the country he is supposed to be shepherding.

And who's going to stop him?

 

1984 applies

 

 [...] 

It takes a long time for things to go through the courts, and I'm glad they eventually get some justice (in some cases), but the question now remains whether the Trump administration will actually follow the court's orders.  

Straight up Nazi

 

There's a lot here that's laughably dumb, even for someone as laughably dumb as the world's richest asshole – "Scotts" is a nice screwup, but the idea that the Irish were somehow a welcome part of the American origin story is hysterical – but I want to dig into the suggestion that a diverse nation is somehow inherently a weak nation, especially when it comes to war.

[...]

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has repeatedly pressed this white nationalist nonsense as well. The former Fox News morning show host has treated his public sector job as an extension of his private sector one, beginning his term by firing the African American general who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff because he allegedly promoted diversity, making it a priority to get rid of programs he called "DEI," cutting celebrations of Black History Month and committing an array of other racist slights.

[...]

Elon Musk and Pete Hegseth, and many others like them in this racist regime, are arguing that "diversity" initiatives are a departure from the norms of American life in general and American military might in particular. But of course that's not true.

  Kevin Kruse @ Campaign Trails

Continue reading.

MAGA